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Thailand, A Happy Reunion

Although my return to Thailand will be primarily limited to Bangkok as a launching point for my tour of South East Asia, I have fond memories of my previous visit there in 2007.

From buying freshly made pad thai on the streets to the huge night market, I am looking forward to seeing how much Bangkok has changed or remained the same from five years ago. What I am also looking forward to is doing something I should have done on my last visit, eat a bug.

Unfortunately, this time I will not have the opportunity to return to Chiang Mai or Ko Samuet. However, my previous photos vividly remind me of elephant riding through the forest, hiking across hills, passing waterfalls and walking through rice fields. A journey that took myself and others to spend a night in a remote village in the hills surrounding Chiang Mai.

What a pleasant memory when I think of Ko Samuet. Even today, I can still recall the total bliss of the best massage I have ever had laying on a beach there. No doubt, these memories come with some regret that this time I will only be in Bangkok. Nonetheless, I will make the best of my two days here before moving on to Laos

I hope it is not another five years before I return to explore more of amazing Thailand.

"Tru dat" (as they would say in Cape Town) but maybe only to a certain extent.

I remember a few years ago the political unrest in Bangkok and the downer it put on tourism to Thailand. I'm glad that has passed but was disappointed to learn that one of the night markets I visited is history.

It has been replaced with a more modern night market which just isn't the same for me

Did you visit the new Asiatique? I'm planning on going, if time permits, in the next 2 weeks time. SuanLum was the BEST night market, for sure.

As far as political unrest, it still flares up now and then. I was in the city when the downtown was 'occupied' with a walled compound. I was also there when the floods were encroaching (but did not reach city center). I've seen good times and bad.

As Bob says, the more it changes, the more it stays the same. I still keep returning (trip #28 next week).

After a delightful and filling breakfast at Moonite Boutique Hotel, the morning is of to a slow start. A short walk from Moonite and I wait with others to board a common means of transportation in Bangkok. Moving efficiently and rapidly up and down the city's waterways like a subway are the popular canal boats.

For a cost of about 5 baht per station along your route, you can easily move around the city for less than a US$1. However, be forewarned that it may take a time or two to get comfortable with the boarding process. Be a quick learner or you might get left behind or worse yet, find yourself taking an unplanned swim.

Fortunately, with the help of some courteous on board passengers I manage not to get wet. Four stops later and I am walking the streets of Bangkok headed for Victory Monument. I am not going there to visit the Monument itself, I am going there in search of a minivan.

Built as a tribute for Thailand's victory in the Franco-Thai War, today Victory Monument is primarily recognized as the busiest transportation hub in Bangkok. All around this circular area are minivans and buses waiting to take passengers to the different outskirts of Bangkok.

Although still full from breakfast, I can't resist having a fresh pineapple and huge guava from one of the local street fruit vendors. I then take the long way to find a minivan that will take me to Damnoen Saduak, Bangkok's largest and most famous floating market.

A cute set of eyes are staring at us as we wait at Victory Monument for a minivan to take us to Bangkok's most famous floating market. Located about 100km South of Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak is definitely worth the hour or so drive.

Spending too much time at breakfast, we arrive at Damnoen Saduak late in the afternoon and miss all of the heighten morning activities. However, I discover that this may not have been a bad thing as we end up with a more personalized tour.

Our boat starts of slow then gains speed as it is navigated down narrow canals towards the market. Most of the stalls are now empty for the day but we pull up to one boat loaded with all types of merchandise.

A floating bar and bartender is more to our liking and a cold “Singha” beer is refreshing.

The market is apparently not only popular with two legged creatures but four legged ones as well. Those that have long skinny tongues and can swim.

Hello, Komodo!

Passing scattered merchants and one stall lined with rows and rows of spices along with teas, our next stop is at a Coconut Sugar Farm. A sweet lesson about coconuts along with free samples and this becomes the highlight of my tour.

Did you that coconut nectar is extracted from the flower of the coconut? This nectar is then boiled to make coconut sugar. I get to sample nectar fresh from the flower and I am surprised at it's non coconut enjoyable taste. Although this sampling tree is young and at ground level, I get another sampling from higher up. A worker free style climbs a fifty foot plus tall tree and hands me a collecting bucket.

Leaving the Coconut Sugar Farm with sadness, we head over to visit one of the ancient cities of Thailand built along one of the canals. Here can be found temples built from the 10th - 11th century. Some of the buildings are in a state of decay but others are still actively being used by local Buddhist monks.

We disturb calm reflective water as we race back to finish our tour and say goodbye for now to Damnoen Saduak. Disembarking at a dock, it is a short walk to where we will catch the No.78 bus back to Bangkok.

A cheaper fare and no doubt a longer ride to the city. However, it is another chance to experience a bit more of amazing Thailand.

i fear you did not get to experience the market in the frenetic way most of us have, but you benefitted by the lack of congestion... as you know, usually there are hundreds of boats clogging that central area..

For an outsider, hidden among the canals of Damnoen Saduak is a treasure collection of “The Tree Of Life”. With our engine turned off because it is out of gas and the propane tanks need to be switched, we quietly approach CSF under the almost silent stroke of an oar.

My eyes are bulging out of their sockets and my heart is racing a mile a minute as I take in the treasure field in front of me. Even the local bees are buzzing with excitement about what is found here.

We have just landed at a Coconut Sugar Farm which has a plantation full of what is known by some cultures as “The Tree Of Life”. With no customers left for today, we are taken under wing by two of the employees here and given a close up tour of the operation.

First, I am shown how nectar is collected from the flower of the coconut, something I did not know was possible. I have always thought all the product came from the coconut itself. I am offered to sample fresh nectar right from the flower. I accept the offer in exchange for a camera woman to capture my doing.

A fresh cut is made of the flower with a machete and my sampling begins. I am surprised by the non coconut flavor of the sweet natural syrup. This syrup is collected in long thin canisters and then boiled to be made into sugar.

I am next given a canister and told that drinking it will make me strong. I know my blood sugar level is about to sky rocket. My host and hostess are so excited, “Wow,wow,Wow” about educating me about coconuts, it would just not be right to disappoint them.

Furthermore, I am an easy sucker for anything coconut or sweet. I think I will jumping up and down all the way to Bangkok or as my hostess suggest maybe I could fly like a Superman.

After a lengthy return from Damneon Saduak, I must get a second wind if I am going to get a glimpse of Bangkok's nightlife and complete a personal challenge.

Cleaned up, we take a walk towards Chid Lom Station and flag down a taxi to take us to the Patpong Night Market area. No doubt, there is a whole thriving economy that revolves around night markets in this part of the world. All kinds of merchandise and food can be bought well past the midnight hour. You can even get a full 60 minute Thai massage for about US$10.

At well past 11pm, the area which has a portion filled with adult shows is hopping. The adult show venues seem to out number the regular bars and restaurants and the solicitation to visit them become annoying.

Unfortunately, even kids are used in the solicitation which involves flashing you a menu of the offerings. For me, it is distasteful but the area can still be fun and enjoyable.

At one bar a local band is playing and it looks like a good spot to have a beer or two. This time I go for the “Tiger” to build up my courage. A Santana rendition followed by Billy Jean and the band takes an intermission. A perfect opportunity for me to head to the streets to complete my personal challenge made about four years ago after a previous visit to Thailand.

A few instructions and I am pulling apart a deep fried grasshopper in my mouth. I cannot say it was delicious but it did make my cold beer taste better.

That feat accomplished it is back to another bar for some hip hop and rock done Thai style, a glimpse of Bangkok's nightlife.

Now familiar with the canal boat system, we are back at the Chid Lom stop for a longer trip down the canal towards the Grand Palace. This requires a quick boat transfer at Thai Si Phraya and once again we are enjoying the scenery of the city that at one time was called “The Venice Of The East”.

Leaving the pier near the Grand Palace, I strike up a conversation with a local who turns out to be very helpful in planning our day. Using our map, he informs me that this is a good day to tour the temples around the city. This is the last day of a special tourism promotion that happens once a year.

I don't know why he assumed just because I am wearing knee high white socks and plaid shorts that I am a tourist. Anyhow, he plots out a tour then leads us to a tuk-tuk driver. Some words are exchanged and then he tells us that for 20 baht (less than one US$1) this driver will take us around to all the temples he has marked on our map. What a deal!

Our first stop comes with a pleasant surprise, free food. Now I am glad I wore my knee high white socks. Friendly conversation with a lady and her daughter and soon I am eating a delicious bowl of Thai pork soup.

Pork balls, fish and noodles mixed with green onions and seasonings that gives it a nice flavor. Wanting to kick it up a notch, I add a little Thai chili. I soon realize I may have added too much as my forehead begins to break out in a sweat.

Now filled with lunch, I stroll the grounds of the world's tallest Buddha, standing at about 100 feet high and 30 feet wide. Also on the grounds are various temples and Buddha statues that display amazing craftsmanship and beauty.

Before, we visit our next temple we are taken on an unsolicited and almost mandatory stop for the tuk-tuk driver.

Part of the Tourism Promotion week is that foreigners are allowed to purchase one set of ruby or sapphire jewelry without paying tax. I am told this can be a significant investment as all rubies exported from Thailand have a 195% export tax. You can take the stones you buy here during this week and sell to your local jeweler for an easy 100-150% profit. The only catch, you have to have the thousands of dollars available to make the initial investment.

At our next stop I am admiring a Buddha that makes my mind drift off to the sand and beaches of the tropics. Sitting against a soothing blue background and decorated in shiny gold, I cannot help but think of the clear skies and warm sun of the Caribbean.

Another awe-inspiring temple in Bangkok it Marble Temple with it's unique displays of Buddha's from around the world. My favorite, the Japanese Buddha.

Walking outside of The Marble Temple our tour hits a snag. Apparently, our tuk-tuk driver no longer wants to be a part of Tourism Promotion week. He now wants to take us to a tailor shop and other merchants where he gets money for bringing us there. I am quite comfortable in my plaid shorts and 20 baht later we depart ways.

I don't know if a curse is cast on me for refusing to be taken for a ride or if the grasshopper I ate last night is returning with vengeance but I set off in search of a WC. As in most countries of the world gas stations are a nice refuge for many things besides gasoline. With an outside temperature in the 90's, I am in a sweat box inside the WC. However, it turns out to be the most comforting sweat box I have ever been in, even though I ended up leaving a knee high sock behind.

With my detour crisis over, another tuk-tuk ride and we are headed for The Grand Palace. Unfortunately, we arrive too late for entrance tickets. Although it closes at 5pm, the last tickets are sold at 4pm. However, The Reclining Buddha is within walking distance and it stays open until 6pm.

There is an entrance fee of about 100 baht to visit Wat Pho, home of “The Reclining Buddha”. I am disappointed to see that there are posted signs to be aware of pick pockets. However, I guess it can be expected at such a popular tourist spot.

For many years, I thought I had a “Big Head” until “Fat Heads” came along. However, neither of us compares to the head I am now standing under. Made from over 5 tons of solid gold, no matter the size of your head, this Buddha will leave you breathless.

Wat Pho along with being the most extensive temple in Bangkok is also considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. No wonder I feel a relaxed connection to this place.

For now, one last boat ride down the canals where we will exit to catch a tuk-tuk to the main Bangkok Train Station. It has been at least twenty years since I have traveled overnight by train so this is an adventure for me.

My only childhood memory from my last train travel experience is that of my dear uncle quizzing me about my knowledge of why the strawberries were always sweeter near the railroad tracks.

Needless to say, I am excited about boarding this train to the border of Laos. At a 7-11 outside of the train station we load up on some snacks for the trip which is scheduled to take over twelve hours. Inside the station, I finally come across something I have been looking for during the past few days, Pad Thai.

For our trip we have booked an upper & lower berth in the Second-Class section of the train. Our fare booked on line is about US$48 for both berths. The lower berth which gives a better ride is a little more expensive. The train does have a dining car but I am told the food is not the best hence we are self prepared for our own on board dining experience.

On schedule, a conductor hangs off the train and announces “All Aboard” followed by a intercom welcome from Don Cornelius. Soon, our train leaves the station and I have a smile on my face like a kid from twenty years ago.

I enjoy my Pad Thai, do some reading and before long I am rocked to sleep by the rhythmic swaying of the train rumbling on the steel tracks below me.

Morning comes and I make my way towards the dining car more to explore other areas of the train than to find something to eat as I still have strips of green mangoes leftover from last night. The Thailand countryside is passing by at about forty miles per hour as we go through a few small towns and rice fields.

In one car I come across the Third-Class section of the train that has just seats and open windows. The most affordable but least comfortable way to travel on the train.

Back to my car I make a stop in the bathroom. Now, I think I may have discovered why the strawberries were always sweeter near the railroad tracks.

About thirteen hours after leaving Bangkok we arrive in Nong Khai the end of the Thai Rail line. Here we pick up pre-paid tickets for a new train to take us onto Laos. The station personnel at Nong Khai are extremely friendly and guide us through the Thailand Immigration exit process.

On board another train that is more like an urban transit system, we are on a short ride that will take us on the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge which crosses the Mekong River. Before long we are in “The Lao People's Democratic Republic”.

A simple boarder process which requires about US$36 for a Visa On Arrival and we are on our way to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

A tuk-tuk ride for the whole day as you've described would normally cost far in excess of 20 Baht, perhaps around 100 - 200 Baht. The free noodles you mentioned is probably a free meals given out at temples, perhaps even at someone's funeral service where food are often catered for grieving guests.

Basically your day was a part of a typical scam. Once the tuk-tuk driver realized that while your were gullible enough to believe in the "Tourist Promotion Week" you were not the type that buy a lot of things and left you.

This will be a good read and a very good lesson for any first time visitor in a foreign country.

However, I have had a trip report removed because the "spam checker" thought I was somehow soliciting for money. Obviously anyone reading the report with a sense of humor would have know that I don't need money because I have a dear rich "Uncle Sam".

I am sure that the Thai Pork Soup was not made for tourist but if you watch my video I don't see how anyone can doubt the genuiness in which it was offered.

My life and travel is lived and done believing in the kindness of the human spirit. I am sure others have a smiliar philosophy have had not too kind experiences from it but that has not been the case for me.

Having traveled around the world for business and pleasure I am not naiive to fact that there are not nice people in the world. However, in my opinion they are in the minority and I will never let them dampen my travel experiences.

Agreeing to a 20 baht tour of the city and then refusing to go places not earlier agree upon.. How is that dangerous?

The point is if they agree to give you a tour for a certain price with the intention of suckering you into something else and you are smart enough to see through it then they are the ones that have been "scammed" not you.

During a typical Thai funeral noodles, rice dishes etc are often catered for the event. The people serving the noodles are normally paid for their services plus the food that they are serving and are not a part of the grieving relatives or friends of the deceased. Anyone can walk up to these vendors and they will be served with a smile.

I took a look at your video and if you notice there are tents and seats around where the food was being served and this suggest to me that it's an outdoor or outside extension to where a funeral rite was being held. This happens when they are expecting a lot of guests.

The trouble with your tuk tuk ride is that you were not aware that you were being scammed. In some cases that I've read in the newspaper tourists have been robbed or beaten because they did not comply. Why risk it for the sake of 20 Baht and to tell or encourage other people to do the same is not right IMO.

Oh and the food is normally served between prayers during the funeral and continue to be served after the religious part is over. A typical funeral last several days and then the cremation ceremony is often carried out after a resting period.

I don't think the people hosting the funeral will mind if a few unknowing tourist stop by for a free meal or snack. Definitely don't think that what you did was good but as I've said they probably don't mind if a stranger stop and eat the food that they paid for their guests.

You are "Dead Right"... One should never mingle with the locals when traveling or accept free food that is genuinely and presistenly offered to you.

One should stay away from tuk tuk drivers because you might get scammed,robbed or beaten.

As a matter of fact one should just watch "The Travel Channel" so you can see the world in comfort and safety of your own home. I am sure that wherever you live you don't have to worry about being scammed, robbed or beaten. That only happens if you are a tourist in a foreign country.

If you do dare risk traveling be very careful. Don't eat ice (or yellow snow) or the local food because you might get sick, end up with gallons of gas, or worse you may get scammed out of seventy five cents

I think you should take note that even as a respected member of this forum "Hanuman" comments were removed by the forum moderator.

I post my trip reports here to share my travel experiences so others can enjoy and learn from them not to have everything I do or write criticized.

How is me accepting a persistent and genuine offer of food.. as "Hanuman" put it "Definitely .. not a good thing that I did"???

Can you or anyone else know the heart of the person that was offering it? Maybe that person wanted me to experience what was going on or just wanted to show me some Thai hospitality?

Sage advice is no good if it intended to instill unnecessary fear. I take his comments of having read in the papers that some tourists have been robbed and beaten by tuk tuk drivers as doing just that.

Look when you willingly participate in an attempted scam by unscrupulous tuk tuk or taxi drivers then you are putting yourself at risk. Be it from financial fraud, robbery or physical harm. Instead of telling people to scam a scammer it is wiser to avoid them in the first place. You obviously were not aware of the scam while it was attempted on you, from what you had written in your trip report. There are a lot of good taxi drivers and tuk tuk drivers out there so why tell people to seek one who will try to scam you?

The person offering you the free food was probably a vendor who was catered for a funeral service at a temple or a private religious ceremony. Again you obviously were not aware of the Thai Buddhist funeral or religious rite being held at the temple and venture in to the area. Out of kindness the host probably did not mind but IMO it's not a good thing to barge into an event you are not apart of.

You are right and this is your trip report but I feel that I should point out when you were scammed so that you and others will know. Also, I feel I should point out that while there are free food offered at a lot of temples in Thailand as charity, what you participated in was a private event.

I think you are still missing the point and should not read things into my report that are not there.

When we got of the canal boat our intention was to visit The Grand Palace, China Town (where they were having a food festival) and The Reclining Buddha.

In talking to a gentleman (who you would conclude was part of the scam) we were given an alternative to see more of the temples around the city and then we were to be dropped off back near The Grand Palace.

If you would have noted, this was not my first time in Bangkok and I was well aware that some tuk tuk drivers attempt to take you places that you are not interested in going to.

However, if a tuk tuk driver, taxi cab driver, tour company, airline or any other travel entity agrees to take me to a certain place for a certain price, I am not going to question their integrity until they try to pull a "bait & switch".

The amount you pay for a service does that guarantee you that you will not be a part of as you put it a "scam".

Anytime one leaves the secuirty of your home you take a risk. Are you aware that recently two passengers on a regular bus were kidnapped in Egypt? Should they have stayed at home or not gotten on a regular bus?

Your point should be to make others aware of scams in your country ahead of time (by posting a report) and to apologize for the unscrupuluos behavior of some of your fellow countrymen.

Instead, you pretend to know the intentions of the heart and write comments that in my opinion are negative and instills fear about traveling in Bangkok

I did not "barge" into an event at the temple. Again, you are reading what you want to into my report. We went there to tour the temple and at the entrance to the grounds on the right hand side a food station was set up. We were motioned over and if you paid attention to the video you will hear the vendor (as you put it) repeatedly encouraging me to try some soup.

Only you and or a "television type personality looking for ratings" would consider that to be "barging". Maybe stating that "a tourist was caught trying to steal some soup at a Buddhist temple" would also boost the ratings

Again, you pretend to know the intention of the heart

You maybe right that there may have been a funeral or some other event going on there. However, this was all staged in a public area and I did not "break into the area wearing a mask".

You write as if you know with certainity what was going on at that temple on that particular day and you do not even know what day it was. In any event it is amazing to me how you can attempt to put a negative spin on what for me was a wonderful experience.

I entertain your and others criticism here because I think it exposes a flaw and arrogance in many of the posters here.

As you and others should be able to tell from my numerous trip reports, I always have enjoyable and fun travel experiences and I won't ever let anyone or anything dampen my joy of traveling

Hanuman is right to point out the risks. I tried to scam a scammer once and it got ugly. The tuk tuk driver had some rough-looking friends waiting for us in an alley. Had to make a hasty exit and spent an hour or so looking over my shoulder. Seemed like a bit of fun at the time, on reflection, it was a dumb thing to do

I do not disagree with "Hanuman" pointing out the risks, it is the manner in which he did it.

From one of his replies:

"In some cases that I've read in the newspaper tourists have been robbed or beaten because they did not comply."

I can post stories like that or worst about where I live and no one would ever visit Florida!

Anytime you travel you take a risk. Making people aware of those risks is fine as long as it is done in a way that does not cause unnecessary fear.

I don't know how you tried to "scam a scammer" but what I wrote in no way advocate anyone taking dangerous risk like "Hanuman's" reply seem to suggest.

My point is simply this.. If you agree to a set price to go to specific destination (even if the tuk tuk driver has other intentions) then when he has completed what you paid him to do get out of the tuk tuk if he wants to take you some place else.

He has then been "scammed" because he initially made a bargain with you with ulterior motives that he is not going to be able to carry out. You fulfil your end of the bargain by paying what you originally agreed to.

If you cannot stand your ground in situations like this then you are better off not traveling independently.

How is this dangerous?

I have gotten out of a few cabs in my lifetime that wanted to take me for a ride that I did not ask for or tried to take me the long way to my destination when I knew better.

Everyone has to learn to manager their own risk especially when traveling. For those that do not want to deal with these types of situation then an organized sheltered tour maybe the way to go

DMB, lots of people with far more experience in Thailand than you have have tried to help you understand the events of that day. Your response has been to argue with them. Most people, once they have been caught up in a scam, learn from it so they do not repeat their error. It is unfortunate that you have not yet learned from your experience.

Despite what you or others might think, my point is not to argue with anyone here but to challenge what is posted in response to my postings of my travel experiences.

However, it seems that many that post here do not share their travel experiences but just wait to criticize others postings. And try to do so with some sort self appointed righteousness

If you and others take the time to read my responses, you would have noted that I thanked "Hanuman" for his initial response and link about the "Gem Scam".

Nonetheless, he continued posting criticism to my other events of the day about the free soup I was offered at one of the temples. I considered the offering a part of Thai hospitality and yet he protrayed me as doing something that was not good.

Furthermore, his posting about tourists being robbed and beaten, in my opinion was unwarranted. As far as I know, anywhere in the world it can happen and you don't need to be a tourist.

Do you know how many people are murdered in New York or DC each year? Should people not visit these cities because of it?

You or no one else knows what I have learned or not learned from my experiences. I can guarantee you that Thailand or Bangkok is no different in many ways to other countries and cities that I have visted.

No doubt, I have just as much or even more travel experience than most people that post here. The difference, I am not self righteous about it and I do not criticise others postings or travel experiences

As a Singaporean Buddhist I just want to point out that the tallest Buddha statue in the world is in China and the second tallest is in Burma. The tallest Buddha statue in Thailand is the "The Great Buddha of Thailand" in Ang Thong and definitely not the one as described by the OP.

I believe the Buddha that the OP saw was the one at Wat Indrawihan. This temple is famous for housing a huge standing Buddha. It is often referred to as "Lucky Buddha" by the tuk-tuk driver touts who try and pick you up and will take you here on the way to a tailor shop! This temple receives very little coverage in guide books and isn't visited nearly as much as the more famous temples. For that reason it is very quiet except for religious rites and funerals.

Good idea for a starting point especially if your itinerary is structured for it and it suits your way of travel

As much as I can I travel independently and "on the fly". For me, this gives me the flexibility to sometimes go off the beaten path and experience travel in a different way.

For example, on this particular day our plan was to go to a food festival in China Town area (which we found out about the night before), visit "The Grand Palace" which we researched online then visit "The Reclining Buddha" which I had previously visited.

Had we stuck with that plan we would not have seen for example, The Marble Temple or Ananta S. Throne Hall both of which were fascinating.

I agree a lot of guides can be uninformed and in my opinion, guidebooks can also be incorrect or outdated. However, not everything has to be researched and every claim scrutinized for a site or event to be enjoyable.

Either way I consider myself fortunate to experience travel the way I do even if at times it's not perfect.

So odd to think that using a guidebook to give you background and cultural info somehow means you have to structure your itinerary in a particular way. Knowing more about a place, culture, religion gives you more options, not fewer.

I do understand now why you were angry with Hanuman for telling you about the Buddhist funeral you stumbled upon. Most of us find that info interesting and helpful, you seem to feel that knowing more makes it less interesting.

Wow.. It is amazing how you and others think that we should all see and do travel the same way

Ever heard of:

A..D..V..E..N..T..U..R..E

"An adventure is defined as an exciting or unusual experience; it may also be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome"

Again, if you would read my and others trip reports and/or profiles, you would know more about others and the way they chose to travel.

One's knowledge of a place or options does not have to come from a guidebook. It can come from sharing a meal with local Zulu in a local restaurant that one stumbles upon. And then by spending the next several hours hanging out him and learning that as a young man he was always disappointed that tourists came to his village and drove by in buses looking at him and his friends as if they were driving through a zoo, afraid to interact with the animals.

One's knowledge of culture and options can come from living a week with a local family in Nicaragua while attending a language school. Done without the help of a guidebook but done because of a sense of adventure.

One's knowledge of culture can come from hiking to a local village outside of Chang Mai and spending time around a campfire exchanging songs and culture with it's residents. Again, done without the help of a guidebook.

One's knowledge and cultural options can come from crossing a countries border where most would not cross (or would be recommended in a guidebook) and discovering a delightful local bakery.

Knowledge and options can come from learning about a tuk tuk driver sick son in Siem Reap and reaching out to him.

Again, I doubt these types of knowledge, options and cultural experiences are found or recommended in too many guidebooks

Only a news reporter that is looking for ratings during "Sweeps Week" or someone that has not done careful research and reading can conclude that I am angry with anyone.

Again if you had spent more time reading my posts you would have noticed the following in regards to my feelings about "Hanuman".

One of my response:

Hanuman,

Thanks for the link..

Wow, it is an elaborate scam. Glad I prefer "Bling, Bling"

My last response to Hanuman:

"Let's get back to the fun of posting and enjoying travel. No harm, no foul. Again, don't leave. I'm sure myself and others can benefit from your posting"

you have been totally rude and judgemental towards kathie and others here. kathie for one is considerate, well read, well travelled, reasonable, VERY UNDERSTANDING, open, extremely informative, knows travel at all levels and perhaps the most professional and informative members of the asia forum...

i wish i could emulate her in every way. imo, you have been unfair. i tend to be more of a lazy traveller, seeking comforts, etc, but i continue to stand by my reasoning when it comes to food, ice and other things. i never said "you cannot do this or that.." i simply said that imo it is not worth the risk, and imo is not wise.

in many ways the same things holds true for hanuman. he is one of perhaps 2 on the ground in bkk and other asian areas who reports things as he sees and lives them. you cannot quarrel with that.

I am closing the comments on this thread as it has gone off course. As our guidelines state, we want to keep the tone of the Forums positive and welcoming to a general audience.

The Forums are a place for two-way communication, where travelers of every degree can converse with one another and share their experiences and questions. This thread has lost sight of this and therefore, is being closed.